Hervey Bay, Fraser Coast
Humpback Whale Watching Capital of Australia

Let’s start the list with the real deal: Hervey Bay is hands down the bucket list experience for whale watching in Australia. This is where around 7,000 humpback whales and their new calves choose to stopover to rest and play in the bay’s calm and safe waters.

Mother humpbacks use this time to teach newborns survival skills before they head back to Antarctic waters. These gorgeous interactions make Hervey Bay the whale watching capital of Australia with guaranteed sightings on calm, sheltered waters.

Brisbane – Moreton Bay Marine Park

As the humpback whales make their way up the coast, they come in close to North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island, making land-based whale watching from the lookouts possible – just bring binoculars for a closer look.

Ocean Dynamics run a dedicated whale-watching cruise to watch these amazing creatures play against the idyllic Whitsunday backdrop.

Best time to go: July – September

Tropical North Queensland

Tropical North Queensland has a magical whale encounter that is one of a kind! This part of the reef is the only place in the world where you can snorkel with the elusive dwarf minke whales that come to holiday on the Ribbon Reefs during June and July every year.

Have you been whale watching in Queensland? Share your experience with us in the comments.

Author

Queensland is home and always will be for Kaylah who grew up on the Sunshine Coast, lived in Airlie Beach for three years and survived to return to Brisbane. She is a crazy cat lady and a former ride-hater. These are her stories.